Improvement in elastic draft-links



W. e. LE we. ELASTIC DRAFT-LINKS.

N0- 19L448. Patented Aug. 21,1877.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATEs WILLIAM G. LE DUO, OF HASTINGS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO A.V.

' GARDNEB, OF NEW YORK CITY.

IMPROVEMENT IN ELASTIC DRAFT-LINKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194.448, dated August21, 1877; application filed March 13, 1877.

i To all whom it may concern:

ings.

In Figures 1, 2, and 3, a a a a represent strips or ribbons of springsteel, brass, or other metal, bent and setin a semi-elliptical form andattached to the eyes or hooks c by bolts, rivets, or otherwise.

In Fig. 2, R is a rubber ball, cylinder, or ellipse introduced betweenthe metal springs ac to catch up the draft, should it be too great forthe springs.

In Fig. 1, d d are supplemental springs, of metal, for the same purpose.0 is an eye, the opening in which is perpendicular to the face of theribbons of metal; and c is a snaphook.

In Fig. 2, c is an eye, open at the side of the spring, and e is afastening for buggytrace.

It is evident that the kind of fastening books or eyes may be varied atpleasure also, that the metallic strips or ribbonsmay be increased innumber, length, or form, as the necessities or convenience of the casemay rei quire.

Fig. 4 is a closed link, of spring-steel or other metal, either round orflat, of elliptical 1 shape, re-enforced at the draw-eyes by thickenin gthe steel or other metal at the ends, or by riveting a re-enforcewearing-piece, substantially as appears in thedrawing.

It is evident that the metal used in these various forms of the elasticdraft-link may be either flat, round, or half-round, or of other shape,and may be continuous strips or hands, or may be pieces of metal jointedwith one or more joints, (oneform of which is shown in Fig. 5,)according to the service required of the link.

The object of my invention -is to break the force of the sudden shock orjar of the draft in starting or drawing loads, either applied by horseor steam power, and thus prevent the ill effects of sudden strain uponthe horses shoulders or upon the machinery, and also to economise thepower necessary to start a heavy load, and to equalize the varyingresistance of traction. It is also apparent that the elastic link may beused as a dynamometer.

I claim' 1. The elastic draft-link, composed of elliptically-curved bandor bands, rod or rods, of suitable metal, provided at their ends withbooks or eyes, all substantially as set forth.

2. The elastic draftlink, composed of the curved band or bands, rod orrods, of suitable metal, provided with end-fastening devices, incombination with the intermediate springs or their equivalent, allsubstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

THOMAS C. OoNNoLLY,

Jos. T. FALES.

